Ebrard Says Drug Trafficking Has Stayed Outside Mexico-U.S. Trade Talks

Mexico's Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said drug trafficking had not been raised in approximately 115 meetings with the United States on trade and investment. Speaking after briefing senators in Mexico City on October 20, he said security matters were handled at a separate negotiating table by other agencies. Ebrard said the bilateral relationship was too broad to combine all issues in one negotiation. He identified automotive, steel and aluminum tariffs as trade priorities and said Mexico wanted this year's trade review completed before year-end.